Winthrop United Methodist Church

Ministries

New members of Winthrop United Methodist Church often tell us that they chose to join our church because it is "active and alive." It is more than just a place to come for an hour on Sunday mornings. Members of the congregation can choose to be involved in a number of ministries that spread the Gospel through education, witness, and service. They help needy members of our church and contribute to improved quality of life in our community, across our country, or throughout the world.

Outreach ministries are coordinated by the Outreach Team. Some of the Outreach ministries include:

Click on the the ministries listed above for more information about them.

Care ministries are coordinated by the Care Team. Some of the Care ministries include:

Click on the the ministries listed above for more information about them.


Camp Mechuwana

summer1.jpg - 36403 BytesThe Winthrop United Methodist Church is a proud sponsor of
Camp Mechuwana.

It is the purpose of Camp Mechuwana to complement the local church ministry by providing a unique Christian setting for persons of all ages for personal growth and experiences which enhance ones relationship to God, neighbors, and the natural world.

Camp Mechuana is located on 200 wooded acres and is surrounded by 2,000 more acres of forest and lakes. It is open year round. As well as hosting Camp Mechuana activities, the camp is available to churches and other groups that can use the facilities to run their own programs. Church groups can also use Mechuana as a base camp to go on day trips in Maine.


Blanket Sunday

ToolsBlanketlogosm.gif - 5237 BytesEvery Mother's Day the Winthrop United Methodist Church invites its membership to buy a blanket for a family somewhere in the world. Money is sent to Church World Service to support their TOOLS OF HOPE & BLANKET Program. Click here to see a copy of a September, 2001 receipt letter from World Church Service that expresses their appreciation for our gift and describes where some of the money went.

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Heifer Project International

heifer_logo_dl.gif - 2383 BytesThe Winthrop United Methodist Church Supports Heifer Project International.

Contributions collected from members of the congregation using small banks shaped like an ark have been donated to the Heifer Project for a number of years. This year (2002) we have joined with others in the Winthrop, ME community in the "Launch the Ark" project. Organized by the Winthrop Center Friends Church, a number of churches, civic organizations,and businesses are working to raise $5000 that will be sent to Heifer International to fund an "Ark." An Ark cosists of a variety of animals that will go to countries where they will help families enjoy better health and self-sufficiency. Click here to see what makes up an "ARK."

In the 1930's, a civil war raged in Spain. Dan West, a Midwestern farmer and Church of the Brethren youth worker, ladled out cups of milk to hungry children on both sides of the conflict. It struck him that what these families needed was "not a cup, but a cow." He asked friends back home to donate heifers, a young cow that has not borne a calf, so hungry families could feed themselves. In return, they could help another family become self-reliant by passing on to them one of their gift animal's female calves.
The idea of giving families a source of food rather than short-term relief caught on and has continued for more than 50 years. As a result, families in 115 countries have enjoyed better health, more income and the joy of helping others.

Click here to view a certificate from Heifer Project International recognizing the contribution from Winthrop United Methodist Church.


Other Projects

Hot Meals Kitchen

The Winthrop Hot Meals Kitchen provides meals to people in need of a hot meal. No one is required to pay for that meal. The kitchen is open during the school calendar year and is closed about three months in the summer. The noon meal is served starting at 11:30 A.M. A typical meal will consist of a main course (baked chicken, shepherd's pie,etc.), a starch (bread, bisquets, corn bread), a vegetable (cooked or raw, salad) and fruit or desert and a beverage (coffee, tea, milk). Meals are homemade and low fat as much as practicable. Many of those served are senior citizens who come for the fellowship as well as the meal.

Winthrop Food Bank

On the first Sunday of each month members of the Winthrop United Methodist Church bring food and other products to the worship service. This food is delivered to the Winthrop Food Bank for distribution to those who need it.

The Mitten Tree

mitten.jpg - 12340 BytesThe Mitten Tree has been part of the Christmas season at the Winthrop United Methodist Church for several years. The tree offers the opportunity to share a material item with someone in need. Last year gifts were provided to families in the Winthrop area, the Winthrop Family Violence Center, and teens at the Maine Youth Center. A Christmas Tree is placed in the Fellowship Hall with paper mittens hanging in pairs. Each pair has a gift written on it. Donees write their name on one mitten and leave it on the tree, and take the other mitten with them. After purchasing the specified gift, it is returned with the mitten and placed under the tree.

UNICEF

uniceflogo2.gif - 3439 Bytes"Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF has taught generations of American children to care about less fortunate children living around the world. UNICEF also teaches children about the importance of volunteerism. The tradition of "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" began in Philadelphia in 1950 when a youth group collected $17 in decorated milk cartons for children overseas. Since then, American children have collected more than $110 million with the trademark orange collection boxes. This year, the project has dedicated itself to the fight to eradicate Polio worldwide.

WonderAwhile Nursery School

On December 28, 1964 the Winthrop United Methodist Church voted "to sponsor a nursery school for a four month trial period during the months of February through May; during which time the feasibility of a full-time nursery can be studied, and the decision to continue or not be made." The decision was made to continue and the church has supported the Nursery School ever since. WonderAwhile Nursery School has been hosted in the Winthrop United Methodist Church building since its beginning and has served children of the greater Winthrop community for over 38 years. Visit the WonderAwhile Nursery School Web site for more about the nursery school.


© 2001-2002 Winthrop United Methodist Church, Winthrop, ME Last Updated: February 13, 2002